It has officially been one week since Oli hopped out of the transport van and into my arms. I cannot hyperbolize how quickly the two of us bonded. Within the first two days he was dogging [get it?] my every step. I haven’t peed alone in my home in a week. When I tried to on day two or three, Oli literally opened the slider and marched on into the bathroom.
He is a German Shephard – Husky – Chow (?) mix, and looks essentially like a white German Shephard with a curled tail. I might end up calling him Twinkle Toes since he is so bouncy on his feet on his walks.
Oli is a sweet pup to people. He is quick with a kiss or a snuffle, and he is playful with Whiskey and Frankie [much to Frankie’s dismay]. However, we are starting him in training classes early because he can be aggressive to dogs he doesn’t know. After a single private training lesson and a non-workout related outing every day following to practice what the trainer told us, he is already learning quickly. I think what he is learning is that getting bacon from my pocket is way better than barking at dogs, but at least he’s learning quickly. On Saturday, my husband and I took all three dogs [we are watching Whiskey for the weekend] to a local farmers market that allows dogs. He did a really great job checking in with me, and only had one freak out. I am confident that if we keep making his training a priority then he will learn the social skills too be a great runner and a chill winery/brunch attendee.
Oli was high energy enough out of the gate that we have been doing at least an hour of jogging or brisk walking every day. I’d love to tell you that we have been running that whole hour, but I have been seriously fatigued from a crazy busy back half of last week so my cardio efforts have been somewhat lower energy. Realistically, it is probably good that we aren’t running 4+ miles in our first week together because I want to build Oli’s strength and endurance so he doesn’t hurt himself. Next week he is getting checked out by Frankie’s vet and I am planning a list of questions for her like:
1. How much am I supposed to feed this guy? He isn’t eating as much as the back of the dog food package told me to feed him.
2. What brands of food should we look at feeding such an active dog? We are currently feeding him Kirkland Nature’s Domain, but that is what his was getting at the shelter. We feed Frankie Nulo, but that is because he is the pickiest dachshund alive.
3. Any supplements to consider aside from glucosamine?
4. How old is he actually? My husband and I were told he was a year-ish, but his mannerisms seem pretty young.
I am so excited to make Oli a part of our family! He’s practically perfect in every way!
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